Month: May 2018

Who has the time to give yourself facial masks, nevermind go and get facials? While rituals of cleansing are important aspects of self-care, anything that causes you extra stress is not worth its time. Having this thought in mind, plus my obsession with the cosmetic benefits of clay, I decided to create “You Got This!,” a natural, liquid, facial Castile soap dually serves as a face wash and face mask in one.

Another Monday? Didn’t get enough sleep? A sweaty mess from the gym? Acne and oil from crazy hormones? Don’t worry – YOU GOT THIS! You Got This! is intended to be an affirmation that you can take on anything the day has to offer you! Handcrafted in small batches with ingredients specifically chosen to awaken tired, dull, sensitive, acne-prone, oily, and/or sweaty skin.

The base is made from organic olive oil. Because the saponified part of this soap is 100% olive oil. It is named Castile soap from the town in Spain where Castile 100% olive oil soap is derived. Castile soap is gentle and luxurious with a perfect amount of mild suds which do not destroy the skin’s natural protective layer.

The first goal of a facial mask is cleansing. We use masks to especially remove dirt and oil from our pores. We use white Kaolin clay in “You Got This!” As explained on Stylecaster, “White kaolin clay is the gentlest [of the different colored Kaolin clays] and thus great for sensitive dry skin. It doesn’t absorb so much as it does soften with super gentle bits for a mild exfoliation.” It softly purifies the skin and pores without the harshness that comes with other facial masks.

We include jojoba oil, which is an oil whose chemical property closely mimics human sebum, to create an extra moisturizing softness to balance out the pulling and deep-cleansing from the clay. Finally, we scent You Got This! with a blend of essential oils to create both toned and balanced skin, as well as create a fresh, green, and awake fragrance.

You Got This! is mild, gentle, and safe to also be used as a body wash or as a bath soak. It works ideally in a sea sponge or a Konjac sponge.

I am almost finished with my 11th year of teaching. As with every year, there have been times of laughter, times of sadness, times of confusion and dismay, times of pride. While I always enjoy reflecting on my own teaching, what I like to do this time each year, during Teacher Appreciation Week, is think about the teachers I had in my past who have played their role in shaping me into the person I am today.

To the following teachers, in alphabetical order…

Dr. Marilyn Aronson (deceased)Dr. Aronson – there’s not a class day that goes by where I don’t feel you in my very bones. Your lessons about “Hard writing makes easy reading” continue to resonate and I hope I make you proud every time I teach it. I took your Greek Tragedies book so I could have pieces of you with me from one of my favorite works during AP Lit, Oedipus Rex. I hope you know you are a legend and you are loved.

Mrs. Stacie BrooksYou were my first teacher-love. You were the first person (outside of my family) who made me believe in myself. You called me out when I feigned illness, but you never made me feel bad about it – you always knew it was about my self-confidence. You made me love school and I am forever grateful.

Mr. Martin DoyleAny Russian I learned in high school, I learned from you. Seriously, I wish I had you for all three years of Russian. You taught me incredible study techniques that actually made me a better student. You are the only reason I had any confidence to take Russian in college.

Professor Donald LoewenYou made me challenge my honor and made me a better person for it. You are also the person who made me fall in love with Russian. Spasibo bolshoye, Professor.

Mrs. Carol LoweYou were one of the toughest English teachers at Tech and that’s why I loved you. You were no-nonsense, brilliant, with an amazing sense of warmth and kindness. Every kid respected you to the highest degree because you deserved it. You read all of our work, each and every word, and you let me express myself – yours was the only homework I ever wanted to do.

Ms. Judith MandibergYour leading sentences are what gave me confidence in creative writing. You may not believe me, but I would write several different stories for each of those sentences. But what was more important was how you cared for us. You trusted us with your address to write you letters and during a time that was so tumultuous for me, you were a guiding light, personally answering each and every one of my letters. I’m sorry I stopped writing. If I could find your address again, this time I would come for coffee.

Professor Rachelle MooreYour guidance, leadership, and friendship molded me into someone who was confident enough to take control and run my own programs. Your Computers in English Studies class is what has given me the confidence to build my own websites today. You inspired me to write poetry again.

Mr. Sigmund RobinsonI can still rattle off electronics equations because you made us memorize every one. I am able to fix small circuits, understand the difference between parallel and series, and appreciate my Jewish ancestry because of you.

Professor Libby TuckerYour classes are literally the entire inspiration for my teaching! Because of you, I am able to teach the most amazing senior elective English class in the history of public school. You showed me that my love of folklore and the supernatural was real and valid – you gave me my life’s purpose.

Professor Al VosYou actually taught me how to read Shakespeare and I am forever grateful. You opened up an entire world of figurative language, complex characters, love, devastation, all through the eyes of Iago, Prospero, Portia, and more. I only wish I can be half as inspiring when I teach Shakespeare.

Mr. Steven ZebofskyYou made me love history. Even though I was a horrible history student who couldn’t write an AP US essay to save my life, you taught me things about the world that no one else ever mentioned. I was always amazed and how all you needed to do was write an Aim on the board and still deliver a brilliant lesson simply through discussion and debate. Thank you for letting be Sparta and kicking Athens’ ass.

As you think about all the teachers who have positively influenced you or your children, please remember them during this special week. A little moment of gratitude means everything to us.